There is a variety of physical activities that are available for low pact movement, enjoyment and relaxation. However, there is one activity that has often been over looked- fishing. With proven benefits for your skin, lungs and cardiovascular care; fishing also offers a great focus on the benefits of self-care.

Imagine if you will, standing in a stream casting your line, over and over again; as you breathe in fresh air as the sunshine falls upon you. No time constraints, and no deadlines; just you patently waiting for sockeye salmon on your line. Essentially, hours of mental relaxation perfect for your much needed self-care.

Why is self-care so important for your well- being, you ask? It’s simple, your body is in need of consistent breaks in order for your mind and body to perform correctly. Often over whelmed with timelines and thoughts, it is easy to become unproductive and frustrated. With self-care you are able to raises your energy levels, vibrations and provide inspiration through mental clarity.

For all the benefits of self-care, let’s take a look at two specific reasons why fishing is a great for your personal mental health, destressing and relaxing.

Nature puts you in a better mood! New studies show that while walking through or standing in nature, our minds are less likely to focus on the negatives. You then return to your homes with a more optimistic view of life. Allowing you the positive vision, to see the opportunities you are searching for. As it has been stated in many studies: change your thoughts, change your life.

Relax and breathe in the fresh air. Studies show that breathe in the scent of flowers, cut grass and clean air promotes relaxation and decreases anxiety. Which is much needed in our digital age of on-the-go city life. As we are always on our phones, computers, and laptops; all of which has linked to the increase in overall anxiety and depression in modern day society.

With all the benefits available, can imagine a more breath taking way to destress, unwind and recharge than to unwind by fishing in beautiful British Columba?

In a famous TED conference, Ruby Wax made a wonderful point that I think everyone should hear. As human beings, we were designed to forage and hunt our own food, protect our tribe and the only stress we ever had was to outrun wild animals. In today’s world, life couldn’t be more different to this.
We worry about money, work, taxes, and schoolwork and are more concerned with material possessions and who has the best new technology. All of these worries still initiate the same stress that ancient man felt when being chased by a lion, yet we have no way to release this tension, and many people end up feeling depressed, anxious and unhappy with their lives even though they live large and have everything that money can buy.
Often, and very unfortunately so, it takes something very dramatic to happen in our lives to realize what is actually important to us seeing out our days happily. So when you are concerned or worried about how much your pay check offers, or if you can afford the next big gadget, remember ancient man and try to live like him.
Healthy living, in our opinion, consists of a few very simple things. Surround yourself with people that you love and who will support you, rid yourself of negative energy. Nourish your body with regular exercise and healthy food in order to burn of the unhealthy stress hormones. Don’t put too much emphasis on material possessions. And most importantly, feed your mind. Read endlessly, see wondrous sights the planet has to offer, discover yourself, help others – this is the key to happiness. Soon enough you will find that largely living is much more satisfying than living large. Love yourself, love the planet, and love each other.

I want to focus on living as wholly as possible. What is sad is that most of us only get to this point when we are forced to come face to face with a mind altering death experience.
Wouldn’t it be great to come face to face with a great life before being forced to see things in the manner that we should have been looking at them the way we were intended to do in the first place?